Kale Mary finds saving grace

A recent Monday, 10:28 a.m.: Like a circus juggler, Lisa Laricchiuta tosses a fistful of kale into the air before washing it and lovingly massaging it in her kitchen sink. She repeats the process for 45 minutes until an entire box of the nutrient-rich greenery has been prepped for its 13-hour dehydration session.

For the past three years, at least once a week, Laricchiuta has been making small batches of kale chips for herself and friends. She views creating them as the perfect marriage of her love of food and her passion for yoga and meditation.

“My whole being sings when I’m cleaning kale,” she said. “It’s a time to clear my mind and not think about problems I have. The whole process is about not thinking and being present. It’s all part of this incredible ritual that I do.”

Laricchiuta, 52, was a nurse for nearly three decades, until she was pushed out of her job in 2008. At the time it was devastating; now she sees it as a blessing.

“I don’t think this planet wanted me to live like that anymore,” Laricchiuta said. “I was unhappy and always sick. Friends didn’t like to be around me because I was tired all the time.

“When I left nursing, it felt like it wasn’t in alignment with who I was anymore. The profession had drastically changed. I was in front of the computer most of the day, and I was seeing patients less and less. For whatever reason it happened, I think it was the universe’s way of getting me out of something that was making me miserable.”

Now that the unemployment checks have stopped coming, Laricchiuta is thinking about turning her kale-chip operation into a full-fledged business that could pay her Noe Valley rent and bills. She already has a name – Kale Mary Full of Taste – and professional labels that a friend drew up after scoffing at her handmade version.

As it is, she sells a few tubs of kale chips a week to a local coffee shop, Luv a Java. Some friends pay $5 for a 3-ounce container. Most of the rest of what Laricchiuta produces, she barters for services. Recently she paid for a yoga retreat with chips.

She’s pretty sure it was a fair trade. After all, kale is rich in fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C and calcium. It was revered by ancient Romans, is an obligatory part of holiday meals in Denmark, and it saved British soldiers from malnutrition during World War II rationing.

“I would trade anything for kale chips – a haircut, teeth cleaning or an even an oil change,” Laricchiuta said. “I haven’t gotten that far, but I would love to do that.”

One day, maybe, she’ll take her kale chips to farmers’ markets and have a legitimate marketing strategy besides a Facebook page. But she’s also leery of creating something that becomes work instead of meditation.

“I want to keep it so that it’s joyful for me. I don’t want to do it so that I lose the joy in making these chips.”

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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A ritual in the making of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta messages and washes kale in her San Francisco kitchen. She says she sees the process of messaging the kale as a meditative activity. less

A ritual in the making of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta messages and washes kale in her San Francisco kitchen. She says she sees the process of messaging the kale as a meditative ... more

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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A ritual in the making of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta tosses handful of kale in her home kitchen in San Francisco.

A ritual in the making of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta tosses handful of kale in her home kitchen in San Francisco.

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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Maker of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta unloads a fresh box of kale from her car in San Francisco.

Maker of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta unloads a fresh box of kale from her car in San Francisco.

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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Lisa Laricchiuta shops for kale chip ingredients at Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco.

Lisa Laricchiuta shops for kale chip ingredients at Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco.

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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Lisa Laricchiuta shops for kale chip ingredients at Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco.

Lisa Laricchiuta shops for kale chip ingredients at Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco.

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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Maker of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta unloads a box of kale and other organic ingredients from her car in San Francisco.

Maker of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta unloads a box of kale and other organic ingredients from her car in San Francisco.

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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A ritual in the making of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta messages and washes kale in her San Francisco kitchen. She says she sees the process of messaging the kale as a meditative activity. less

A ritual in the making of Kale Mary Full of Taste kale chips, Lisa Laricchiuta messages and washes kale in her San Francisco kitchen. She says she sees the process of messaging the kale as a meditative ... more